Eagles outlast Lions Saturday to continue 2020-21 success
As multiple personal, career, and program bests were set on Saturday for Carson-Newman Swimming, one thing topped them all: a win.
Video: Jordan Taylor Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – As multiple personal, career, and program bests were set on Saturday for Carson-Newman Swimming, one thing topped them all: a win. The Eagles pull out the team victory 392-129 over the Lions; men were victors 191-70 while the women gather another top-notch win 201-59.
"Emmanuel came out and put up some fast times which pushed us to our limits. They were able to win some events which we were expecting," head coach Jordan Taylor said. "Our team is getting better each day and I'm glad we're able to win at home. This does not mean we stop preparing in the pool and weight room next week as we host Lees-McRae. Our focus is to be our best as Conference comes so that's what we'll do."
Eagles started off the afternoon with a victory in the women's 400-yd freestyle relay with a team time of 3:55.07 while senior CJ Jensen (Copenhagen, Denmark) set the pace with her start on the relay to lead the Eagles. The men were victors in the 400-yd freestyle as well with their time of 3:20.41 thanks to sophomore Raphael Lima (Sao Paulo, Brazil)'s fast time to end the relay.
Jensen also etched herself in the C-N program record book as she won the women's 200-yd backstroke in 2:03.06. This was her first time competing in the event, so not too bad for a first-timer.
Among many of the bright spots for the Eagles Saturday was freshman Jed Little (Anderson, SC). He won the men's 1000 yd-freestyle in 9:47.82, 5th fastest in program history, as well as gaining a top-5 finish in the men's 500 yd-freestyle with a time of 4:50.80.
"It's always nice to come out here and get a victory. We're getting ready for Conference and bettering ourselves," Little said. "We just have to keep working hard at practices and switch gears into taper as we near Conference."
On the women's side, one of the biggest standouts was sophomore Rachel Peden (Boiling Springs, SC). She won the women's 1000-yd freestyle in 10:27.90 while taking home a second-place finish in the women's 100-yd butterfly with a time of 59.69.
"Like Blue and Orange, everyone is up and cheering. I'm really excited to continue this to Conference," Peden said. "Hopefully, we can continue with the team cheering each other on and pushing toward Conference. We should start getting taper soon, continue putting the work in, and have a uplifting team attitude as we continue."
Individual highlights include freshman Nicolas Lenuza (Spain). He was part of the winning men's 400-yd medley relay in a time of 3:20.41 and was the victor in the men's 200-yd butterfly in 1:51.85 (4th fastest time in program history).
For the women, junior Meredith Ginn (Ocala, Fla.) was crucial to the Eagles' success on the day. She started off the day for the Eagles as part of the winning women's 400-yd medley relay who won in 3:55.07, before winning the women's 100-yd backstroke in 57.95, and the women's 200-yd IM with her time of 2:10.96.
Taylor knows how important these next few weeks are for the Eagles as they near Conference. He still strives to have his team focus on what is ahead of them but knows his whole team is fighting to be awarded a place on the Conference team.
"Senior Day next week is always a special day for our program to be able to honor those who have left a legacy here at Carson-Newman. Our team will definitely look to give them one last win at home before we continue our season," Taylor said. "Next week is going to be a special day and I'm excited to see our team use this next week and occasion to better prepare for Conference."
UP NEXT
The Eagles will hold their Senior Day festivities next Saturday as they wrap up the 2020-21 regular season against the Lees-McRae Bobcats inside the MSAC. The meet takes place next Saturday, Feb. 6th, at 1 p.m.
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